In University of Lucknow an event organised by LAC with the theme "STEP IT UP FOR GENDER EQUALITY"

On the propitious occasion of International Women's Day 2021, an exemplary event was organised by the Legal Aid Centre, Faculty of Law, the University of Lucknow on the 8th of March 2021. Methodised under the Chairmanship of Dr. Anurag K. Srivastava, the ceremony took place in the Juris Hall, Administrative Block, UoL and consisted of an extensive Panel Discussion by eminent scholars on the burning issues of gender equality and women empowerment.

Initiating the discussion, Puneet Deshwal, a senior LAC member, threw light on the contemporary issues faced by women and their solutions that are being brought through legal amendments. After requesting, Ms Sapna Tripathi, Secretary of Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission to enlighten the audience about the obstacles faced by women from all walks of life, she advised everyone to not only maintain a healthy work environment but also at our homes.

Dr. Anupama Srivastava, who is Coordinator, Department of Tourism, University of Lucknow threw light on making work environment safer and healthier for women. She made it clear that women empowerment in no way means "over empowerment" and "Man Hating". According to Madam Srivastava, conducting workshops are an integral part of sensitizing society and youth. Mr Mahendra Bhishm who is the Joint Registrar Allahabad High Court Lucknow Bench narrated a very inspirational story about women empowerment. According to him, women are God gifted to analyse a person and situation better than a man. He inspired the people present in the audience to aid their mothers, daughters, wives, friends in accomplishing their actual capabilities. In no manner should a woman be limited and harassed by family relations.

Through sheer fortune, the event could be joined by Ms Aishwarya Bhati, who is the Additional Solicitor General of India, Supreme Court. She is a true epitome of woman empowerment and her presence through the virtual medium was much admired. She threw light on the issues being discussed through her wise words. In her words, women will be empowered only when they are heard and that women affect every sphere of society and it is only just that their opinions and thoughts are taken into consideration. She laid emphasis on the fact that family is the point from where all pivotal revolutions are initiated and hence it is essential that the women in our family are treated impartially. Madam Solicitor General stressed that it's about time that "women are seen as assets and not liabilities." According to her, no women rights movement can be a success without active participation from men for it is not just a woman's fight against oppression but a nation's fight. Her words were indeed impactful.

Mr Mansoor Ali said that there is a need to break our stereotypes against women. Elaborating the UN theme for International Women's Day 2021 which is "Women In Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future." After a brief ceremony of memento distribution and appreciation of the Panelists, the ceremony was concluded. The denouement of the happening was exceedingly conclusive. Sturdy inferences were made from the Panel Discussion this fight is not against men, rather it is against patriarchal mindset and against derogatory mentality which bind women from realizing their true potential and honest pledges were taken to finally fully harness the power of women's leadership to realize a more equal, more inclusive and more sustainable future. The event was a great triumph under the leadership of LAC, and the occasion culminated with a promise to keep organizing such informative and awareness programs in the future and to keep working actively to achieve its objectives.

Aradhana Maurya